Conor Breen, North American Office, Bord Bia – Irish Food Board

This year is the United Nations-designated “International Year of Pulses”, showcasing the benefits of the food group that comprises the seeds of common legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, beans and peas.

The culmination of three years’ planning since official designation was granted in 2013, IYP 2016 sees pulses undergo a promotional push to reposition them as both a nutritionally (high in fibre and vitamins, low in saturated fat) and environmentally (low-carbon, water-efficient and soil replenishing) superior alternative to meat as a source of protein.

IYP 2016 has been well received and promoted within Canada, and for good reason; the conducive Canadian climate and soil allows them to produce an estimated 35% of the world’s pulses, with commercial opportunities presenting themselves both at home and abroad.

At present, over 70% of this production goes overseas. With the Canadian Dollar ever weaker versus the US Dollar, they will hope to see increased exports to their southern neighbours in the same way that quinoa exports there jumped sharply after its official year in 2013. Equally they will hope for continued growth in developing countries, where they are currently the supplier for 80% of the pulses on the market.

Domestically, meat consumption continues to decline while overall prices for groceries has risen by over 4%, by the highest of any industrialised country, with meat specifically up by as much as 4.5%. Naturally, pulses have been identified as a solution to this with Canadians urged to take the Pulse Pledge and commit to eating pulses once a week for 10 weeks. To date, over 18,000 consumers have done so – it will be interesting to see how these numbers grow throughout this year and beyond.

For more information please contact conor.breen.2@ucdconnect.ie